I was invited and sponsored by Dr.Stephen O. Andersen to come to Paris to attend the Open-Ended Working Group of the Montreal Protocol. In case most of those 8 words mean nothing to you, the MP is a climate change agreement originally signed in 1987. It has since been ratified by every country. Yes. Every. Single. Country. This is not the sad Kyoto Protocol, this is the muscular, super successful agreement that successful phased out ozone depleting chemicals and added years of life to the planet. The Open-Ended working group is a time for all the parties to come together to assess progress and discuss amendments to the treaty. I sat in a room with Iran and Iraq along with most of the other 196 nations. An amazing experience in and of itself. I knew, going in, that the meeting was going to be controversial. I need to give you some back ground. The process of phasing out ozone depleting chemicals necessitated the invention and development of alternative substances for all the stuff we like to use like air conditioning and refrigeration. There are thousands of other products as well like electronics, but let's focus on these two key essentials. The first replacement products that allowed for a transition away from substances that destroyed the ozone layer were called HFCFs (originated in the 50s). They were very good on ozone, but, as it turns out, bad on greenhouse gases. Originally, the MP folks, thought that the Kyoto folks would take care of HCFCs, but the Kyoto folks are focused on CO2. In fact, someone told me, they say at Kyoto that CO2 sucks all the oxygen out of the room. Meaning, they are busy looking at the BIG problem and are missing solving the lower-hanging fruit. So, the MP guys decided to phase out HCFCs as well under their protocol under the premise that reducing ozone depleting substances resulted in the use of HCFCs so it was, essentially, their problem. The phasing out of HCFCs, then, brought into use a new class of compounds developed in the 90s called HFCs. From the start, the MP folks knew that these chemicals were better on greenhouse gas, but not great on greenhouse gas. They assumed that too HCFs would be a transitional substance. Is this making sense? It is complicated and kind of a pain in the ass. Why couldn't they have gone to compounds that were good for ozone and greenhouse gas the first time. Well, because they didn't exist. So these steps needed to be taken. Now, to the controversy. Many at the MP are trying to now phase out HCFs. In truth, only some replacement products are yet available. This was also the case when the effort started way back in the 80s, and, I would say, there is some replacement fatigue in the group. In addition, air conditioning is a big deal in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India and many other parts of the world. I learned this term last week for the first time: high ambient. This refers to countries where temperatures exceed 120 degrees fahrenheit or 50 degrees Celsius. I'll stay in Celsius because that was what the Saudis and Kuwaits used. The delegate from Kuwait expressed that he lived in temperatures that could range as high as 60 degrees (140 - 140!) and that often when he went to take a shower the water was 42 degrees (107!) They have to cool their water to bath. The opposite of what we do in the States. So having the right alternatives for AC is critical to them. As I mentioned, there are some alternatives that are ready and others in development. I came to believe that some of what is ready or nearly ready can work in high ambient, but many have a new problem. The chemicals are flammable. The manufacturers and engineers and scientists explain that the flammability can be managed. Certainly service people and technicians need to be trained. This is a legitimate added worry, but I am convinced it can be handled. The thing is, bottom line, we have to phase out HCF to extend the life of the planet. Phasing out HCFs is much easier to phase out than the use of fossil fuels. It is low hanging climate fruit that must be managed. But, at this meeting, the Arab nations and select other nations argued against because the technology isn't ready. At the same time, small island nations like Seychelles and other nations with large coast lines argued as vehemently for the phasing out. Things got quite heated (no pun intended.) Finally, a very soft agreement was reached by the end of the week to, essentially, continue to discuss. Given the vehemence, this was, essentially, progress. The opposing Pakistanis, for example, said, they will eventually agree. Big step forward, even if we aren't taking the step today. But the final wording is soft littered with what is known as Square Brackets. You can picture those on your keyboard. Square Brackets are used in any agreement to highlight areas of disagreement. Our future is in those [ ].
That's the nitty gritty. And the subject of my play WORLD AVOIDED. But, I want to share too, the people part of the week. When Steve and I arrived the first day of the meeting, he was swarmed by people from around the world hugging and kissing him. People he has worked with from 1 - 30 years on ozone. I stood back admiring the love. By about three days in, I was in the love. I was so embraced by this remarkable clan of people. I made like 12 fast friends. At least...more than 12. I've never quite had this experience before. Each was smart, dedicated, honest, fun, driven. We connected on so many levels. I should take a step back and say that as I was introduced the range of expressions on people's faces when we said I was writing a play on the MP was hysterical. Ultimately, most - there are some interesting holdouts - supported and were excited by the project. Then, as often happens to writers, one by one folks started telling me about their writing projects. I heard about novels, nonfiction work, screenplays, a wide range. And everyone has offered to help, invited me to email or call them, happy to read drafts. Lots of jokes about "auditioning" to be in the play and who would play who. I am one lucky and happy playwright. The experience was life changing. I hope I am expressing it clearly enough. We threw a last night party at our apartment. Served cheese and bread and everyone brought a bottle for wine tasting. There are three atmospheric scientists many acknowledged in Gore's Nobel win, a plant pathologist, a former Ozone Secretariat, a major NGO head, folks from EPA and other NGOs. Everyone is laughing, guessing the wines, eating the cheese. We can't say good-bye yet and head out to dinner. Finally we tear each other apart on the sidewalk promising to write, to call, to come together again soon. So much love. I am begging Steve to take me to the next meeting also in Paris in November. We shall see. As I said, happy playwright. I have a good sense now of what the play wants to be and am more confident that I can get there with the help of the connections I have made. I will share more as the work continues. I'll attach some photos that you might have seen on FB. Onward! To saving the planet.
That's the nitty gritty. And the subject of my play WORLD AVOIDED. But, I want to share too, the people part of the week. When Steve and I arrived the first day of the meeting, he was swarmed by people from around the world hugging and kissing him. People he has worked with from 1 - 30 years on ozone. I stood back admiring the love. By about three days in, I was in the love. I was so embraced by this remarkable clan of people. I made like 12 fast friends. At least...more than 12. I've never quite had this experience before. Each was smart, dedicated, honest, fun, driven. We connected on so many levels. I should take a step back and say that as I was introduced the range of expressions on people's faces when we said I was writing a play on the MP was hysterical. Ultimately, most - there are some interesting holdouts - supported and were excited by the project. Then, as often happens to writers, one by one folks started telling me about their writing projects. I heard about novels, nonfiction work, screenplays, a wide range. And everyone has offered to help, invited me to email or call them, happy to read drafts. Lots of jokes about "auditioning" to be in the play and who would play who. I am one lucky and happy playwright. The experience was life changing. I hope I am expressing it clearly enough. We threw a last night party at our apartment. Served cheese and bread and everyone brought a bottle for wine tasting. There are three atmospheric scientists many acknowledged in Gore's Nobel win, a plant pathologist, a former Ozone Secretariat, a major NGO head, folks from EPA and other NGOs. Everyone is laughing, guessing the wines, eating the cheese. We can't say good-bye yet and head out to dinner. Finally we tear each other apart on the sidewalk promising to write, to call, to come together again soon. So much love. I am begging Steve to take me to the next meeting also in Paris in November. We shall see. As I said, happy playwright. I have a good sense now of what the play wants to be and am more confident that I can get there with the help of the connections I have made. I will share more as the work continues. I'll attach some photos that you might have seen on FB. Onward! To saving the planet.
This gives you a slight feel for the room. We're at UNESCO. There are about 400 folks. Delegates from 196 countries (not quite all showed up, but most.) Bunches of staff, NGOs, the various committees like the Scientific Assessment Panel, all sorts of scientists, some industry, etc.
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Thought I got more people in this shot, ah well, but this is Marco Gonzales, former Ozone Secretariat and all around extraordinary person from Costa Rica at our closing night dinner.
Selfie with translation headset on. And I so don't know the woman behind me, but really love the Moroccan over the other shoulder.
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